December is wild for nonprofits. You’re juggling year-end appeals, board meetings, staff holiday functions, and somehow trying to enjoy the season, too. So instead of adding one more thing to your to-do list, I wanted to make your life a little easier.
This year, I created a bunch of free resources to help nonprofit leaders like you strengthen your boards, clarify your mission, and build healthier organizational culture. But if you’re like me, you probably bookmarked a few and promptly forgot about the rest.
Consider this my gift to you—everything I created in 2025, all in one place. Pick what you need right now, bookmark the rest for January, and know that I’m here to support you however I can.
Board Development Resources
If you’re recruiting, onboarding, or trying to engage your board members better, start here:
- Board Composition Matrix – Figure out what skills and perspectives your board actually needs before you start recruiting
- Board Interview Questions Guide – Ask better questions to find board members who’ll actually show up and contribute
- Board Orientation Checklist – Set new board members up for success from day one
Mission & Vision Clarity
If your stakeholders can’t explain what makes your organization unique, these will help:
- Mission Statement Refresh Guide – Craft a mission statement that’s actually useful, not just pretty words on your website
- Vision Statement Guide – Create a vision that inspires action and guides decision-making
Building Stronger Culture
Because your team deserves to feel valued year-round, not just in November:
- Year-Round Gratitude Guide – Simple, authentic ways to show appreciation that actually resonates with your team
BONUS: Your 2026 Planning Prompts
As a special thank-you for being part of this community, here are three questions to think about as you head into the new year:
- What’s one governance practice we need to stop doing because it’s not serving us anymore?
- What’s one relationship (board member, donor, partner, staff) that needs more attention in 2026?
- If we could only accomplish ONE strategic goal next year, what would make the biggest difference for our mission?
Grab a cup of coffee (or something stronger—no judgment as I sit here with my glass of wine!), spend 20 minutes with these questions, and see what clarity emerges.
Here’s to Finishing Strong
You’ve made it through another year of serving your community, navigating challenges, and showing up for work that matters. That’s worth celebrating.
As you head into 2026, I hope these resources make your work just a little bit easier. And if you ever need more support than a free download can provide, you know where to find me.
Hat Tip to Your Success,
Stacey
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